Basilica reconstruction work starts Aug. 1

Patrick Maynard

A multi-month session of earthquake-related repairs to Baltimore's Basilca of the Assumption will start next week, after being delayed from its original start date, a representative for the Archdiocese of Baltimore wrote in an email on Wednesday.

"The repairs to the 200-year-old structure will not begin until August 1.," wrote Sean Caine, referring to a series of fixes that are budgeted to cost $3-5 million.

"At that time the Basilica will be open for Masses and tours with access restricted to the undercroft -- where Masses will take place [Mondays through Fridays] -- and the museum. Weekend Masses, including weddings, will take place in the main church, as per usual."

Scaffolding will be put in place August 13, according to Caine, who warned that exact repair costs will depend on what is uncovered.